Smith the hero in OT as Vegas Golden Knights take Game 2
Three Stars of the Game
- Reilly Smith is taking a lot of First Star honors right now but it is richly deserved. The forward is playing at the peak of his powers and he’ll be a Conn Smythe contender if he keeps this up. Smith had another multi-point night with a goal and an assist, including the OT winner after showing great awareness to get to the front of the net and meet Paul Stastny’s centering pass.
- Jonathan Marchessault isn’t getting as many headlines as his line-mate, but he’s been crucial in all of the success Smith is currently enjoying. Marchessault had a two-point night with two assists, including the primary helper on Paul Stastny’s goal in the first period.
- Nick Cousins deserves the Third Star of the Game for his role in Reilly Smith’s Overtime winner. Cousins went in and battled hard along the boards to dish the puck to Paul Stastny, who then got the puck to Smith for the game-winner. Cousins finished with a point in 15:54 minutes of total ice time and he brings a different dimension to Vegas’ bottom-six.
What’s Next
It is a huge weekend ahead for the Vegas Golden Knights who face a big back-to-back against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Game 3 is on Saturday before puck drops on Game 4 on Sunday, and the Golden Knights will be hoping to move a step closer to advancing to Round 2.